The Christmas season is undoubtedly one of the best times of the year to visit Prague. Why? Because it’s simply magical! All the Christmas lights and decorations in the streets, the festive atmosphere, the abundance of traditional food and drinks all around… and especially the amazing Christmas Markets! 

Here’s a list of things you definitely shouldn’t miss if you find yourself in Prague during Christmas 2022. Trust me, these are no tourist traps, locals love to attend to these just as well as visitors!

1. Shop at the Prague Christmas Markets

Did you know that the markets in Prague have been selected among the top 10 most beautiful Christmas Markets in Europe? There’s a reason why Prague attracts thousands of tourists each year at this time and the colorful markets that inhabit the most important plazas in the city are definitely part of this.

Do you feel like visiting the markets with a local by your side and hear about our Christmas traditions while snacking on home-made cookies? Join us on our Merry Markets Christmas Tour and don’t miss a visit to our favourite holiday markets in Prague!

Things to try: Though everyone has their own tastes, there’s a couple of snacks you need to try during Christmas in Prague. You’ll want to warm up anyway so you’ll appreciate some hot mead or a cup of mulled wine – the wonderful smell of its mixture of spices will lure you, for sure.

Traditional snacks include roasted nuts, Christmas cookies, hot spa wafers, roasted sausage or fried potato pancakes. There’s also the popular chimney cake, though that one does not come directly from the Czech tradition and its modern variations with ice cream or nutella are definitely not what we would snack on as children.

Old Town Square

There’s no doubt you need to visit the main Christmas market in the heart of Prague, the Old Town Square. That’s also where you’ll find the biggest Christmas tree in the country! This is actually a big deal for us and no Czech will forget to come and form their own opinion of this year’s decorations. 

Open from November 26 to January 6, 10 am – 10 pm

Wenceslas Square

Do you feel like some Christmas shopping right underneath the beautiful building of the National Museum? This is your chance! Just remember that the Wenceslas Square is huge and the Christmas markets will be in the UPPER part of it (near the Muzeum metro station).

Open from November 26 to January 6, 10 am – 10 pm

Prague Castle

While this might not be the biggest Christmas market in town, it gives you the chance to soak in some festive mood while visiting one of the main landmarks of the city. And the views from the Prague Castle are simply breathtaking, especially during Christmas.

Open from November 23 to January 6, 9 am – 6 pm

Náměstí Republiky

You might also want to visit some of the more modest and less crowded markets in the city centre. One of these can be found in the Republic Square (Náměstí Republiky), right on the outskirts of the Old Town. There you can try local delicacies such as Prague ham or roasted chestnuts.

Open from November 25 to December 24, 10 am – 7 pm

Tylovo náměstí

Other locally favored markets are to be found on the little Tyl Square close to the metro stop I. P. Pavlova. These are essentially farmers’ markets turned into Christmas markets at this time of the year. If you want to shop for traditional handicrafts and local artwork, we recommend you do that at these markets, though you’ll find it at every Christmas market in town.

Open from November 26 to December 24, 10 am – 7 pm

Náměstí Míru

If you want a more local experience head over to one of the neighbourhood markets outside of the city centre. Our favourite one is right in front of the beautiful Church of St. Ludmila at the metro stop Náměstí Míru. This market opens a bit earlier in November but stays open only until Christmas Eve. 

Open from November 20 to December 24, 10 am – 7 pm

2. Experience Open-Air Ice Skating

Even if you’re not into sports, ice skating in the heart of Prague might be a cool experience for you (literally and figuratively). Who knows, maybe your favourite memories from Prague will be made on one of the many ice rinks built around the city centre for this occasion. Staying on the move will help you keep yourself warm and you can enjoy the gorgeous architecture from a different angle. 

You need absolutely no equipment or skill in order to partake in this pastime. You can rent skates on the spot for a very affordable price and there’s always someone around to help you with the clumsy beginnings. Let’s be honest, there’s hardly anything better to do in the Czech winter if you want to stay active on your holiday.

Where to go for the best ice skating experience:

• Ovocný Trh: near the Estates Theatre, free entrance 
  • Open Dec 5 – Jan 31, 10 am – 9 pm 
• Na Františku: in the Jewish Quarter, adults 70 CZK, kids 40 CZK
  • Open Dec 1 – Mar 30, 8 am – 5.30 pm
• Letná: on the Letná plain (tram stop Sparta), free entrance
  • Open Dec 1 – Feb 28, 9 am – 9 pm
• Žižkov: under the Žižkov TV Tower, adults 120 CZK, kids free
  • Open Dec 1 – Mar 30, 9 am – 9 pm

3. Warm up in a Spa

There’ll come a moment when, after browsing all the outdoor markets, skating on the ice, and walking up and down the city centre (possibly in snow), you’ll want to hide somewhere warm. And since this is the Czech Republic and we love our beer, why not go to a beer spa? Beer lovers will appreciate being soaked up in a hot tub with their favourite drink while sipping it at the same time! For this unforgettable experience, we recommend Spa Beerland. With the promo code PRAGUECITYADVENTURES8 you’ll get a 5% discount.

Another option would be a boat spa. Most Prague visitors enjoy cruises on the Vltava River but being in the open space and near the water in the winter can be quite painful. The best way to experience Prague from the river while staying warm is to hide in one of the comfortable saunas such as those in Lázně na lodi. You’ll admire Prague’s city centre as you sweat off all the mulled wine and mead from the day before. 

4. Go for a Hearty Czech Meal

Czechs definitely know how to eat their way through the cold weather. There’s nothing like a steaming hot goulash to chase away the frost. Most traditional Czech meals come with a hearty sauce and a portion of dumplings that will give you that extra layer of protection against the conditions outside. 

Dishes to try during the winter and where to get them:

• Beef sirloin in a creamy sauce: Restaurace Mincovna, Staroměstské náměstí 930/7
• Roasted pork knuckle: Pork’s, Mostecká 16
• Beef goulash: the beerhouse Malostranská Beseda, Malostranské nám. 35
• Roasted duck with braised cabbage: brewery U Tří růží, Husova 232/10

For vegetarians:

• Fried cheese: Lokál, Dlouhá 33

If you’re in Prague during the Christmas week, you should definitely try our national Christmas dish which is a fried carp filet with potato salad! You’ll be able to find this dish in any typical Czech restaurant. 

Join us on our Traditional Czech Food Tour in the Old Town to try various of these dishes, as well as some traditional Czech pastries and desserts, while exploring the most picturesque areas of Prague!

5. Hide away in a Cosy Café

You’ll probably find out that you need more than one stop per day to warm up your hands and feet during the winter in Prague. Luckily for you, we have a booming coffee culture and you can find a nice café at every corner in the city. Even so, we thought you might appreciate a handy list of those that are truly worth visiting.

• Cukrárna Alchymista, Jana Zajíce 975/7
• Café Letka, Letohradská 44
• Kavárna co hledá jméno, Stroupežnického 493/10
• Café Sladkovský, Sevastopolská 17
• Café Louvre, Národní 22
• Choco Café, Nerudova 49

Can’t make it to Prague this year? Try one of our Christmas-themed virtual tours!

Not everyone has the opportunity to show up for Christmas in person. That’s why we have created a set of live-streamed virtual tours about Prague Christmas and Czech traditions that are perfect for adults and kids alike. Join us for a virtual adventure and feel the festive vibe from the comfort of your home!

Simply Spectacular – Christmas in Prague

Christmas in Prague is like a storybook come to life –  festive atmosphere hangs in the air, decorations and twinkling lights shine all around, and the whole city centre turns into a fairy tale world that is simply magical. Don’t miss the best opportunity to experience Prague Christmas without having to put on your warmest mittens and endure the frosty Czech winter!

Magical Christmas at the Prague Castle 

Come and experience with us a truly magical Christmas at one of Prague’s main historic landmarks! With the breath-taking views of the whole city and its own seasonal markets, Prague Castle is one of the best spots to soak in the Christmas spirit!

Czech up Your Christmas with a Family Recipe – Vanilla Crescents

Forget all the worries about gift-shopping and join us on this family-friendly Christmas experience! We’ll show you how to Czech up your holidays with a simple vanilla crescents recipe that you can do together with your kids. Get ready for a unique hands-on experience, and learn all the useful tricks that will make your family’s holiday season truly magical!

Get into the Christmas Spirit with a Delicious Mulled Wine Recipe

This virtual experience will teach you to prepare the most popular Christmas drink in your own cosy kitchen. Enjoy a cup of delicious mulled wine and hear the stories of unusual Czech Christmas traditions that are bound to make your holiday season truly special.

November 18, 2022